Every year millions of people decide to make fitness goals. Their intentions are good. No one really wants to be overweight for health reasons. By the end of the month, most individuals will quit their fitness goals. The reasons run from the popular “I don’t have enough time in my schedule to exercise.” to “I am just big boned. It runs in my family.” The truth is that the USA is leading the world in obesity. Our children are now being diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders. The insurance agencies are spending millions and millions of dollars to address obesity related ailments and treatments. Obesity will soon overtake all of us if we are not careful about our eating habits and physical activity.

To lose weight, you must have a caloric expenditure that is greater than what you are consuming in food. If your caloric intake is greater than your caloric expenditure, it will lead to a storage of excess calories (Fat). What exactly does this mean to me as a consumer? It means that you must become physically active to elevate your metabolism. Foods that are high in fats tend to be stored since your body burns carbohydrates first as a primary fuel source. It can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Walking during your lunch hour. Performing an exercise video tape in the morning or evening. All of these are good solutions in addition to changing your eating habits.

A excellent place to start would be to hire a certified personal trainer. A certified personal trainer is an individual who is has met standards set by a nationally recognized organization. This is important to you as a consumer. You check to see if a physician is credentialed, so why not a personal trainer also? With a certified personal trainer, you will have access to their expertise on training techniques, problem solving, comprehensive assessments, and professional service. This can be the difference between getting good fitness results and becoming frustrated for life. So the next time you reach a plateau or just don’t know where to start to get into shape, try a certified personal trainer before quitting.

Best of Luck!